Japan-New Zealand Relations

Japan-New Zealand Summit Meeting

On March 24, commencing at 6:15 p.m. for approximately 45 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with the Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand, during his visit to Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. Beginning

Prime Minister Abe expressed gratitude for the welcome he received when he visited New Zealand last year in July, and hoped Prime Minister Key’s visit to Japan would be an opportunity to further advance the Japan-New Zealand relationship as strategic cooperative partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

In response, Prime Minister Key expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Abe’s warm friendship, and said that he was very glad to see large numbers of Japanese students and tourists visiting New Zealand, in addition to Prime Minister Abe’s visit last year.

2. Bilateral relations

Prime Minister Abe, recalling that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations, expressed Japan’s determination to continue contributing to the peace and prosperity of the world as a peace-loving nation. The two leaders shared the view that the two countries will work together to address various global challenges, including climate change and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Additionally, the two leaders exchanged views on sport and sister city exchanges, and shared the view that they will cooperate toward the success of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will be held in Japan.

3. Economic partnership

The two leaders confirmed they would collaborate for an early conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, and shared the view that they will cooperate toward the goal of completing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations by the end of this year. Furthermore, they welcomed the cooperation moving ahead in the fields of food and agriculture, which was mentioned at the summit meeting last year.

4. Pacific cooperation

Prime Minister Abe asked for cooperation toward the success of the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM7), to be held in May. Prime Minister Abe also said that, as both countries have experienced earthquake disasters, Japan would like to cooperate with New Zealand to support Pacific Island countries that are vulnerable to natural disasters; Prime Minister Key agreed. The two leaders shared the view that they will work together for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Vanuatu, which suffered serious damage in the recent cyclone.

6. Cooperation in the international arena

Prime Minister Abe congratulated the selection of New Zealand as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and said Japan would like to cooperate on the Security Council reform, as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the UN. Prime Minister Key replied that New Zealand would like to cooperate with Japan on the Security Council, including on North Korean issues.